Most popular way to get from airport to hotel?

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

What is currently the most popular way to get from the airport to the hotel? So miss Magical express. ugh.

 

[Miffy]

I don't know that there is a "most popular" way, and even that would depend on the makeup of your traveling group. For examples, do you need car seats?

I've been using rideshare for the most part. In December I used Mears Connect, which worked out fine. It was $16/person then. I don't know if they've raised the prices.

Your other choice would be a car service--the most expensive option, but if there are several people in your group, it could be the best choice for you.

 

[beccasmom]

We used a car service in September. Our flight home was at 7:00 a.m. and we didn’t feel a comfort level with either bus service in terms of getting to MCO on time. We very much miss Magical Express.

It was not inexpensive, but the service was terrific. Both drivers were prompt, polite, and personable. We used Happy Limousine and the cost was around $220. (extra charge for an early pickup to MCO). We will use them again.

 

[holden]

We’ve used Tiffany and have had good experiences.

 

[sponica]

We used Happy Limo last year and are using them again this year. Pricey, but the driver was able to help us with all our luggage. Once the kids are old enough to reliably pull their own suitcases, we'll probably switch to something like sunshine flyer.

 

[Microcell]

I want to use Uber or Lyft personally. I have been doing trial runs and for the times I want to use them its about $35.00 one way.

 

[bfost87]

I’m renting a car, but I feel most take ride shares or Mears

 

[_19disnA]

Not sure there is any way to know what is 'most popular'. Too many variable also to say what works best for your family. Cost, how long it takes to get to Disney, size of your party and if you plan to do other side trips outside of Disney matters in which mode of transportation you choose.

 

[teawar]

We have a 10 year old and only ever have carryon luggage, so we get a ride share. We check the prices of both Lyft and Uber and go with the cheaper one at the time. For the 3 of us, it ends up usually being a little cheaper than using the 2 main bus services.

We used to be die-hard Magic Express people and I have a hard time wrapping my head around paying for what used to be “free”.

 

[miksicnarf]

Mears Connect was Magical Express...I use them with no complaints. Sunshine Flyer is the "new" competition and they just announced a sale, $12 each way through the end of May; Mears is $16. I'm sticking with Mears...I've read some negatives about SF, and while I've also read that many have been satisfied I'm opting to stick with the tried-and-true, in the spirit of "if it ain't broke..." An $8 total savings isn't quite enough to pull me away.

 

[Mandipandi]

I can imagine Uber/Lyft would be the most popular. Not everyone going to WDW has kids that need seats and in that case uber is a good option

 

[SwanVT2]

Mears all the way! Over ten years of using their transportation and they are great!

 

[RoseGold]

I use Lyft. I've never waited more than a few minutes anywhere in Orlando any time of day. Pricing varies by demand. On a peak Friday evening arrival, my most expensive ride from MCO was $45. It's usually closer to $35. I'm not messing with a bus or a service for this level of money, when I know a Lyft will be ready exactly when I am.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

We used to always take DME and considered Mears but I have real concerns about whether they’ll pick us up to get back to the airport on departure day. We need a car seat (booster) so if the bus doesn’t come and they send a car/ taxi/ van in its place that could be an issue. I know plenty of people have had no issues but between my luck and my anxiety I can’t chance it.

We’re considering Uber or car service. By the time we get the size Uber we’d need with a car seat, car service prices are close and include a store stop and/ or luggage assistance. That said, I’ve used Uber and Lyft many times in the past and it’s generally my preferred way.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Mears Connect was Magical Express...I use them with no complaints. Sunshine Flyer is the "new" competition and they just announced a sale, $12 each way through the end of May; Mears is $16. I'm sticking with Mears...I've read some negatives about SF, and while I've also read that many have been satisfied I'm opting to stick with the tried-and-true, in the spirit of "if it ain't broke..." An $8 total savings isn't quite enough to pull me away.

I second this!! We used Mears for our trip Jan 26 - Feb 5 and it was flawless. When we arrived at the Mears area at ground transportation around 7:15pm, it was empty. They immediately gestured us to a waiting shuttle bus and we were the only passengers. We had straight to POFQ service. Fantastic! On departure morning, around 7:35am the bus was at the resort on time. I like that Mears even sends out a text advising the bus is there jic you aren't to the front of the resort yet. (we were there early though cuz that's how we roll).

Funny story.....one day we were waiting at the bus stop late morning to go to DHS and DD24 remarked how cool the paintjob looked on a SF bus picking up at the front of the resort. I told her how I had read nightmare stories on the DIS about how disorganized they were, etc. Our bus arrived for DHS and we hopped aboard. As soon as the driver pulled out, the SF bus was right there at the intersection about to pass by our bus and our driver layed on the horn shaking her head and motioning for the SF driver. The SF bus stopped and she yelled over to the SF driver that he had forgotten to close the luggage door under the bus and all the passenger luggage was in danger of being lost!! That SF driver was so lucky that our driver caught his error before he ended up with extremely angry passengers......

 

[RoseGold]

We’re considering Uber or car service. By the time we get the size Uber we’d need with a car seat, car service prices are close and include a store stop and/ or luggage assistance.

I'm gate-checking a stroller anyway for Disney, so I gate check a booster. No big deal. You can also gate-check a booster for free. For not Disney, I don't take a stroller, so I also have Mifold booster with a lot of miles on it, which doesn't require checking anything.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I'm gate-checking a stroller anyway for Disney, so I gate check a booster. No big deal. You can also gate-check a booster for free. For not Disney, I don't take a stroller, so I also have Mifold booster with a lot of miles on it, which doesn't require checking anything.

We've done all of that in the past (this one is my 3rd frequent-ish flyer). He's in a booster at home but it's the giant one with a back and headrest. This will probably be the last time he flies before he's completely out of a car seat so I don't want to buy a smaller booster just for this. I also just don't want to lug his big seat or store it (way less of an issue with smaller boosters, I know). Absolutely these are options for people who are not "I'm not buying/ hauling/ storing one more thing" curmudgeons like me

 

[RoseGold]

I also just don't want to lug his big seat or store it (way less of an issue with smaller boosters, I know). Absolutely these are options for people who are not "I'm not buying/ hauling/ storing one more thing" curmudgeons like me

You could buy a $16 one at Walmart and throw it in the trash at MCO as you leave, LOL.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Lyft was 67 dollars plus tip each way last week.
both time we request xl and got new Tahoe sized suv…
as far as a car seat…. Idk

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

You could buy a $16 one at Walmart and throw it in the trash at MCO as you leave, LOL.

Mears connect is $123 for my family, no car seat (presumably not needed if they send a bus but if it's a van or taxi I would need one). If I don't already have the booster with me, I would need to get to Walmart for a $16 one. I would have no way to know that I needed one until I was at MCO about to board (in the event that I'm not boarding a bus like usual but instead getting into a van or other car- unusual but not impossible). Same with the return flight- I wouldn't know until the vehicle pulls up to take me to MCO and at that point I doubt I have time for a Walmart run. Having it delivered to the resort handles the return flight but not the arrival. Sooooooo all told, best for me to eliminate options that have the potential for me to bring a booster that I didn't want to buy or lug in the first place just for 2 airport transfers. I realize that for those who do not need a booster/ car seat or plan to travel with one anyway this is completely not an issue. But I also realize my luck is such that a van will pull up to take us to MCO and I'll be on the curb at BLT needing a booster seat I don't have and wouldn't otherwise have needed.

Rideshare (Uber XL to accommodate all of us and our luggage, with car seat) has never been more than $70 one way (generally less but sometimes it's a popular time to arrive/ depart and prices are higher than usual). So $17 more than Mears round-trip (and if I had to get a $16 Walmart car seat at some point, let's just consider the price breaking even and I'm still ahead because I didn't buy and lug something only to toss a perfectly good seat into the trash )

Car services I've priced are running about $62 more round trip than Mears.